Phil Hughes, who is eligible for arbitration, should be given one more chance in 2013. If he doesn't take that chance and run with it, it will be time to say goodbye.

I would give Hiroki Kuroda a one-year deal. He will be 38 years old in 2013 and anything more than one year would be crazy.

Derek Lowe is on the decline, in my opinion. He wants to start, so let him do it elsewhere.

I am not ready to give up on Ivan Nova just yet. He had a bad sophomore season, which doesn't mean his third year in the Majors will be a bust.

Andy Pettitte was a feel-good story in 2012 but who's to say it will feel just as good in 2013? I don't want to take a chance on a soon-to-be 41 year-old, not even for one year.

David Phelps has a big future in the Yankees rotation. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

The Yankees are hoping Michael Pineda will be ready to go by June of 2013. If not, the longer it takes for him to be ready, the more trading for him will look like a bust.

Hopefully CC Sabathia's surgery to remove a bone spur last month was not more serious than reported, and he will be ready to take the reigns as the Yankees ace on Opening Day 2013.

No one really stands out for me on the free agent market, but I guess Kyle Lohse might be worth considering.

Up next: The bullpen. Later this week.

Note: Congratulations to the 2013 World Champion San Francisco Giants. After the Detroit Tigers swept the Yankees, the Giants gave them a taste of their own medicine. Because of what happened to Derek Jeter in Game 1 of the ALCS, I'm calling what happened to Detroit The Curse Of The Captain.